Avani (month)
| Avani | |
|---|---|
| Native name | Āvaṇi |
| Calendar | Tamil calendar |
| Month number | 5 |
| Number of days | 31 or 32 |
| Season | Kār (monsoon) |
| Gregorian equivalent | August–September |
| Significant days |
|
Avani is the fifth month of the Tamil calendar.[1] The name of the month is derived from the position of the Moon near the Thiruvonam nakshatra (star) on the pournami (full moon) day.[2] The month corresponds to kar kaalam (monsoon season) and falls in August–September in the Gregorian calendar.[3][4]
In the Hindu lunar calendar, it corresponds to the fifth month of Shravana, falling in the Gregorian months of July–August.[4] In the Hindu solar calendar, it corresponds to the fourth month of Karkata and begins with the Sun's entry into Cancer.[5] In the Vaishnav calendar, it corresponds to the fifth month of Sridhara.[6][7]
Festivals
[edit]Gokulashtami marks the birth of Hindu god Krishna and is celebrated on the Ashtami (eighth day) thithi of Krishna Paksha (waxing moon). It is one of the major Hindu festivals, especially those following Vaishnava traditions.[8]
Vinayakar Chaturthi is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birthday of god Ganesha.[9] It is observed on the Chaturthi (fourth day) thithi of Shukla Paksha (waning moon).[10] The festival is marked by the installation of Ganesha idols in homes and public pandals, daily prayers, offerings (including modak), and devotional singing.[11] The idols are immersed in a body of water symbolising his return to his heavenly abode.[12][13]
On the Purnima (full moon) day, certain communities such as Brahmins celebrate Avani avittam and perform rituals associated with Upakarma. Men change their sacred thread and begin to don a new one on the day annually.[14]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ "Tamil Calendar – Months". Time and Date. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
- ^ Garima Garg (2022). Heavens and Earth: The Story of Astrology Through Ages and Cultures. Penguin Random House. p. 75. ISBN 978-9-354-92705-8.
- ^ Martha Ann Selby (2003). The Circle of Six Seasons. p. xxix. ISBN 978-0-141-00772-4.
- ^ a b Robert Sewell; John Faithful Fleet (1989). The Siddhantas and the Indian Calendar. Asian Educational Services. p. 334.
- ^ "Hindu Panchang". Hindu Net. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
- ^ "Vaisnava Calendar Reminder Services – About Calendar". Vaisnava Calendar. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
- ^ "Something about the Vaisnava Calendar". ISVARA. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
- ^ Ellwood, Robert (1998). The Encyclopedia of World Religions. New York: Infobase Publishing. pp. 199. ISBN 0-8160-6141-6.
- ^ "Ganesh Chaturthi". Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
- ^ "Ganesh Chaturthi – Celebrating the Birth of Lord Ganesha". Indian Panorama. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
- ^ "Why We Celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi – Significance & Importance". Chegg India. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
- ^ "Anant Chaturdashi 2025: Date, Time, Puja Rituals and Significance". The Times of India. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
- ^ "Anant Chaturdashi". Dhar District Official Website. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
- ^ "Jandhyala Purnima". 16 August 2021. Archived from the original on 19 August 2024. Retrieved 17 July 2023.